for UNI … MVC, for some reason, has been rated pretty solidly by the RPI.

but regardless of the RPI for the conference, UNI had a very good non-conference schedule (as far as RPI is concerned), which is boosting their overall schedule (much like Hawaii’s nonconference schedule is making up for its weaker conference schedule). so in a way, UNI is kind of like Hawaii… though UNI doesn’t have a history of consistently going deep into the tournament like Hawaii.

UNI’s schedule is rated the 16th strongest. Hawaii’s is 22. (According to the “nitty gritty” sheets for the RKPI on the Rich Kern web site.)

That kind of schedule will put you up there in the RPI rankings, for sure…

As I said in earlier blogs UNI’s RPI and AVCA rankings are very suspecious and also Minnesotas remaining in the top 20. A few weeks ago the rational for making Illinois
#1 was because of their won loss record. Considering there are only two teams now that have only one loss UH
and UNI is either going to be #1. I’ll answer myself, NO WAY. AVCA and the NCAA wiil say strength of schedule
before won loss record. Therefore either a PAC 12 or BIG
10 team should be #1.

Im sure the coaching staff have something planned for the Wahine while they enjoy their 1 week break now and another break after NMSU game until the WAC Tourney on 11/21. It just brings me to the edge knowing other good teams with this kind of schedule in the past had fallen into complacentcy after a long winning streak and when its time back to game time, they werent able to turn it back on when needed. The Wahine got some work in scouting at least the top ten teams on the poll right now and game plan for post season so we can do better than than 2nd round.

“It just brings me to the edge knowing other good teams with this kind of schedule in the past had fallen into complacentcy after a long winning streak and when its time back to game time, they werent able to turn it back on when needed.”

Im just hoping and praying Shoji and team have the same thoughts the back of their minds utilizing this break to REALLY set up some plan on how to get back to Final Four. With the way everyone’s playing right now, like Cindy said, there is no real dominant team. The road for the Wahine I think will be a lot harder during the 1st rounds through NCAA Sweet 16, once we get to the Final Four, we have a real sensible chance of winning.

I watched Iowa State and OK on ESPNU yesterday.I was impressed with Iowa State ,not national champs material but quite possibly an elite 8 team.With a present #3 RPI they might get a very good seeding.

(Gotta post this under this “weird” title as the blog has taken its annual fall break.)

In the WHO CARES department:

Top Matchup of the Weekend
For the first time this season, I do not see a Clash-of-the-Titans matchup worthy of national attention.

After this past weekend’s spooks and ghouls-gone-wild matches, it’s back to the lull before the storm as more and more teams begin to realize their dreams of a NCAA Championship are over.

It’s always possible that we could see a Big Ten or Pac-12 beleaguered team get its house in order, if just for a night — Washington continues to blow hot and cold — but don’t count on it. Snooze you lose, but even this weekend’s snoozefest is unlikely to catch a top team off guard.

[FAQ] When Illinois hosted Purdue and PSU welcomed Minnesota to Rec Hall, the home teams took care of business handily. So can Purdue and Minnesota be the perfect host and return the favor? Purdue answered that question on Wednesday. Now it’s Minnesota’s turn.

Of the 12 teams in the Big Ten, #2 Nebraska (18-2/11-1), #5 Illinois (21-3/10-3), #6 PSU (17-5/10-2), and #11 Purdue (21-3/10-3) will go down to the wire in the race for the league crown. We could see 7 or 8 Big Ten schools — 8 are listed in the top 38 in the current power ratings — when the NCAA sends out its coveted invites to The Dance.

11/05 (Sat) : Marquette at Cincinnati (Big East)

[FYI] Marquette (20-6/10-0) leads the 15-team conference, followed by Louisville (17-7/9-1) and Cincinnati (18-8/8-2). Though none of these Big East teams are ranked in the AVCA’s Coaches Top 25 Poll, all are likely — but not more than likely — to receive a berth in the NCAA’s Showtime!

11/06 (Sun) : #34 North Carolina at #18 Florida St (ACC)

[BTW] Florida St (19-4/13-0) leads, but North Carolina (19-5/11-2),#26 Miami (19-3/10-3) and #37 Duke (15-7/9-4) are all contenders that have a chance to state their cases.

[Note] North Carolina’s Kaylie Gibson is one of 10 finalists for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award for volleyball. As is her formidable opponent Kanani Danielson, who now trails Gibson in the voting. You have through November 21 to cast your online vote(s) for Kanani so do it as she has given her all for you. Yes, you.

Huh? I thought the lineup was already set? Both lineups he used have the same personnel. Danielson and Croson outside, Hewitt and either Hartong or Adolpho in the middle, Uiato at setter, Hartong or Satele opposite, Blake at libero. Maeda, Goodman and Stauber getting limited duty. It’s the same 11 people, whatever the starting rotation is. Glad that Satele has started the last few matches, but the continued use of Blake at libero is a head-scratcher. Thought that Maeda would’ve gotten a look by now. I’ve seen enough of Blake, want to see Maeda or Griffiths back at libero and Stauber playing back row for Satele. Goodman will sub for Uiato up front. But that’s just mey opinion.

I want to see Maeda and Griffiths at libero too. But I think wahinefan was referring to the Blake/Adolpho/Hartong on the right is one line up and the Maeda/Hartong/Satele line up since they’re both different line ups.